Apparatuses and methods for protecting users and devices from nefarious actors via a use of secondary networks and address translation

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, analyzing data to identify that the data is associated with an online game, translating, based on the analyzing, a first address associated with the data to a second address that is different from the first address, and transmitting the data to a communication device using the second address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for protectingusers and devices from nefarious actors via a use of secondary networksand address translation.

BACKGROUND

As the world becomes increasingly connected through vast communicationnetworks and via various communication devices, additional opportunitiesare created/generated to convey data from a first communication deviceto one or more other communication devices. Such data may pertain to oneor more programs, applications, or the like. One of the fastest growingentertainment sectors is in the area of electronic sports (also referredto as eSports in the art). eSports may entail individuals or teamscompeting against one another, both live and on the web/online, inrelation to a playing of a game (e.g., a video game). Some eSportscompetitions feature incentives (e.g., prizes, sponsorships, etc.) thatare awarded to victorious individuals or teams, which tends to raise theprofile and competitiveness of the games that are played.

In many instances (e.g., in peer-to-peer gaming scenarios), an InternetProtocol (IP) address and port configuration of a client device (e.g., apersonal computer (PC), a mobile device, a tablet, a console, etc.) of auser/gamer is, by design, communicated and exposed to the otherusers/gamers in a multiplayer competition. This enables nefarioususers/gamers to direct attacks, such as a distributed denial-of-service(DDOS) attack and/or malicious traffic, at the IP address of theuser/gamer, granting them an unfair edge during competitions. Stillfurther, nefarious users/gamers (or others) may correlate/formulate arelationship between the IP address and other online activity. Giventhat IP addresses tend to be associated with geographic areas/regions,even more information regarding an individual user/gamer may be exposed.Taken collectively, the information may open the individual user/gamerup to side-channel attacks, up-to and including “SWATing”. SWATingentails the calling in of a false, but serious, allegation of imminentdomestic violence to authorities (e.g., a police department), attemptingto cause the authorities to send a special weapons and tactics (SWAT)team (or the like) to the target's residence. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, SWATing imposes great danger not only on the individualuser/gamer, but on everyone involved, inclusive of the authorities andinnocent bystanders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for routing or conveying traffic/data in networks inaccordance with an identification of an application associated with thetraffic/data. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, monitoring first traffic from a first device, wherein the firstdevice has a first address associated therewith, classifying, based onthe monitoring of the first traffic, the first traffic as first gamingtraffic, based on the classifying of the first traffic as first gamingtraffic, mapping the first address to a second address that is differentfrom the first address, and routing the first traffic to a second deviceusing the second address.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, obtaining first traffic from a first communication device,analyzing the first traffic to classify the first traffic as beingassociated with an execution of a first application, based on theclassification of the first traffic as being associated with theexecution of the first application, translating an address associatedwith the first traffic from a first address to a second address, andconveying the first traffic to a second communication device using thesecond address.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, analyzing data to identify that the data is associated with anonline game, translating a first address associated with the data to asecond address that is different from the first address, andtransmitting the data to a communication device using the secondaddress.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. For example, system 100 can facilitatein whole or in part monitoring first traffic from a first device,wherein the first device has a first address associated therewith,classifying, based on the monitoring of the first traffic, the firsttraffic as first gaming traffic, based on the classifying of the firsttraffic as first gaming traffic, mapping the first address to a secondaddress that is different from the first address, and routing the firsttraffic to a second device using the second address. System 100 canfacilitate in whole or in part obtaining first traffic from a firstcommunication device, analyzing the first traffic to classify the firsttraffic as being associated with an execution of a first application,based on the classification of the first traffic as being associatedwith the execution of the first application, translating an addressassociated with the first traffic from a first address to a secondaddress, and conveying the first traffic to a second communicationdevice using the second address. System 100 can facilitate in whole orin part analyzing data to identify the data as being associated with anonline game, translating, based on the analyzing, a first addressassociated with the data to a second address that is different from thefirst address, and transmitting the data to a communication device usingthe second address.

In particular, in FIG. 1 a communications network 125 is presented forproviding broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 viaaccess terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobiledevices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voiceaccess 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video displaydevices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video,graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wirelessaccess 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately,one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multipleaccess services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 canreceive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can beprovided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 200 a in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the system 200 a may functionwithin, or may be operatively overlaid upon, the communication network100 of FIG. 1 . The system 200 a may be operative in conjunction withone or more programs, applications, or the like. In some embodiments,the system 200 a may be utilized to facilitate a competition, such asfor example an online game or an eSports competition played between twoor more users or players.

The system 200 a may include a number of communication devices. Forexample, the system 200 a may include user equipment/client devices 202a-1, 202 a-2, 202 a-3, and 202 a-4. In general, a client device mayutilize wired connectivity, wireless connectivity, or a combinationthereof, in respect of accessing/obtaining/facilitating communicationservices. In some embodiments, a client device may include (withoutlimitation): a mobile device, a personal computer (PC), a laptopcomputer, a tablet, a gaming console, etc.

In some embodiments, the system 200 a may be utilized to facilitate acompetition, such as an eSports competition. In this respect, the clientdevices 202 a-1 through 202 a-4 may be arranged as two or more teams aspart of the competition. To demonstrate, a first team may include theclient device 202 a-1 and a second team may include the client devices202 a-2 through 202 a-4. As this example demonstrates, there is norequirement that the teams include a same number of client devices(e.g., in this particular example the first team includes one clientdevice and the second team includes three client devices). Of course, insome embodiments a same number of client devices (or, analogously, asame number of users/gamers) in respect of two or more teams may beutilized, which may promote/encourage fairness as between the teams inthe competition.

In some embodiments, a conveyance of traffic/data associated with anexecution of an application (e.g., a game) may be handled/facilitated bya gateway, a router, or the like, illustratively depicted via referencecharacter 206 a in FIG. 2A. For example, and assuming that the clientdevices 202 a-2 through 202 a-4 are located at a residence/residentiallocation, the device 206 a may be referred to as a residential gateway(RG).

The gateway 206 a may be communicatively coupled to one or more servers,such as gaming servers 210 a. Conventionally, the gaming servers 210 amay host data associated with a game, potentially as part of acompetition. In some embodiments, a communication link or channelbetween the gateway 206 a and the gaming servers 210 a may be used toauthenticate one or more of the client devices 202 a-2 through 202 a-4;the communication link/channel may be secure.

As described above, conventionally the participation of a user in acompetition or game may expose information associated with the user (oran associated client device) to other users. For example, and asdescribed above, user participation in the game may tend to expose an IPaddress of a client device of the user to other users or devices. Toreduce (e.g., avoid) such exposure, a secondary/separate network may beestablished to host at least part of the game or competition. Forexample, the secondary network may include one or more of: the gamingservers 210 a, one or more secondary servers 214 a, and domain namesystem (DNS)/network address translation (NAT) devices, such as DNS/NATdevices 218 a-1 and 218 a-2. In some embodiments, functionalityassociated with the secondary servers 214 a, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-1,and/or the DNS/NAT device 218 a-2 may be implemented via hardware,software, firmware, or any combination thereof.

In practice, the secondary network may host secondary traffic/dataassociated with an application, such as a game or a competition. Thismay be contrasted with other traffic/data, such as typical or primarytraffic/data associated with a primary network. For example, the primarynetwork may include Internet-hosted peer devices and/or networkinfrastructure, as generally represented by reference characters 222 aand 226 a in FIG. 2A.

The DNS/NAT device 218 a-1 (which, in some embodiments, may be hostedon/at the gateway 206 a) may classify traffic/data associated with theclient devices 202 a-2 through 202 a-4 as being primary traffic (e.g.,typical traffic associated with the Internet) or secondary traffic(e.g., traffic associated with a game or competition). Based on thatclassification, and assuming that the traffic in question is secondarytraffic, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-1 may route the traffic through thesecondary network (e.g., may route the traffic via the secondary servers214 a). In some embodiments, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-1 mayincorporate/include a rapidly-rotating, geographically-independentDNS/NAT pool of addresses that prevents nefarious actors fromidentifying a location of the gateway 206 a or a location of the clientdevices 202 a-2 through 202 a-4, or associating activity from onesession to another. In this manner, a location-dependent primary (e.g.,IP) address associated with the devices 202 a-2 through 202 a-4 and thegateway 206 a may be shielded/obscured from view via the use of asecondary address facilitated by the DNS/NAT device 218 a-1.

At least some of the functionality described above in respect of theDNS/NAT device 218 a-1 may be included/incorporated as part of theDNS/NAT device 218 a-2 in conjunction with traffic/data associated withthe client device 202 a-1. For example, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-2 mayclassify traffic/data associated with the client device 202 a-1 as beingprimary traffic (e.g., typical traffic associated with the Internet) orsecondary traffic (e.g., traffic associated with a game or competition).Based on that classification, and assuming that the traffic in questionis secondary traffic, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-2 may route the trafficthrough the secondary network (e.g., may route the traffic via thesecondary servers 214 a). In some embodiments, the DNS/NAT device 218a-2 may incorporate/include a rapidly-rotating,geographically-independent DNS/NAT pool of addresses that preventsnefarious actors from identifying a location of the client device 202a-1, or associating activity from one session to another. In thismanner, a location-dependent primary (e.g., IP) address associated withthe device 202 a-1 may be shielded/obscured from view via the use of asecondary address facilitated by the DNS/NAT device 218 a-2. In someembodiments, (functionality associated with) the DNS/NAT device 218 a-2may be at least partially hosted at/by the client device 202 a-1.

In some embodiments, DDOS functionality (which may be hosted at/by thesecondary servers 214 a, the DNS/NAT device 218 a-1, the DNS/NAT device218 a-2, or any combination thereof), potentially in combination with anauthentication or verification of client or user device identity, mayreduce (e.g., eliminate) an ability of a nefarious actor/user to utilizenetwork traffic to gain an unfair advantage. Via the use of thesecondary network described above, traffic/data routing can be enhanced(e.g., optimized) by reducing a number of hops. In this way,traffic/data may be provided to game servers or client devices asquickly and efficiently as possible, thereby improving the gamingexperience.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, an illustrative embodiment of a method 200 bin accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. The method200 b may be implemented (e.g., executed), in whole or in part, inconjunction with one or more systems, devices, and/or components, suchas for example the systems, devices, and components described herein.The method 200 b may facilitate a performance of one or more operations,described below in relation to the blocks shown in FIG. 2B. The method200 b may be implemented to facilitate a competition that may take placeat one or more locations, potentially in a connected or onlineenvironment/context.

In block 204 b, traffic/communications associated with one or morecommunication devices (e.g., one or more client devices, one or moregateways, one or more servers, etc.) may be monitored. For example, aspart of block 204 b the traffic may be sampled via a network probe, amonitoring sensor, or the like. In some embodiments, block 204 b mayinclude a mobile edge computing (MEC) device that is proximal to thelocation of the communication devices monitoring the traffic.

The monitoring of block 204 b may be based on, or include, an analysisof characteristics/parameters of the traffic. For example, in someembodiments the monitoring of block 204 b may be based on anexamination/analysis of headers, metadata, or the like, associated withthe traffic. In some embodiments, the monitoring might not includeaccess to the contents/payload of the traffic, which can be useful inenvironments where (user) privacy and security are important. Forexample, the monitoring may include an analysis of patterns in thetraffic (potentially relative to other traffic) without an examinationof the specifics of the payload of the traffic in question. In someembodiments, a monitoring of traffic (or various aspects associatedtherewith) may be performed subject to authorization or approval ofparticipants/users, including via opt-in and/or opt-out techniques.

Based on the monitoring of block 204 b, the traffic may be classified inblock 208 b. For example, block 208 b may include classifying thetraffic as being associated with an application (e.g., a game or acompetition) or not being associated with the application.

In block 212 b, a determination of a routing of the traffic may begenerated. The determination of block 212 b may be based on theclassification of block 208 b. For example, if the traffic is classifiedas being associated with the application in block 208 b, a secondarynetwork may be selected for routing the traffic as part of block 212 b.On the other hand, if the traffic is classified as not being associatedwith the application in block 208 b (e.g., the traffic pertains to othertraffic, such as typical, Internet-bound traffic), a primary network maybe selected for routing the traffic as part of block 212 b.

In block 216 b, a selection of an address to be used for routing thetraffic may be provided for. For example, if as part of block 212 b adetermination is made to route the traffic via the secondary network, afirst address (e.g., an IP address) associated with a communicationdevice (e.g., a client device) may be translated/mapped to a secondaryaddress in block 216 b. Such a translation/mapping may facilitate aconveyance/transmission of the traffic in an upward/uplink direction.Conversely, traffic in a downward/downlink direction in the secondarynetwork may undergo translation from a/the secondary address to thefirst address as part of block 216 b, to facilitate providing thetraffic to the communication device. If the traffic isdetermined/identified as being routed via the primary network as part ofblock 212 b, then address translation might not be used; e.g., the firstaddress may be used/selected as part of block 216 b.

In block 220 b, the traffic may be routed from a source device to one ormore destination devices based on the address selected as part of block216 b. In this manner, the one or more destination devices may operateupon the traffic, potentially as part of an execution of one or moreapplications.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2B, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

As set forth herein, aspects of this disclosure may beincluded/incorporated/integrated as part of one or more practicalapplications. For example, aspects of this disclosure may ensure thatinformation associated with a user or communication device is notcompromised by shielding or obscuring that information from view. Inthis manner, the user and the communication device might not besubjected to attacks by nefarious actors that may desire to impose harm.Further, aspects of this disclosure may ensure a fair/level playingfield as part of a competition (e.g., an online game) via the use of aseparate/secondary network as part of the competition.

Aspects of this disclosure represent substantial improvements to thestate of the art. For example, security of information associated with auser (or, analogously, a device) may be enhanced without incurring anypenalty in terms of latency or a degraded quality of service (QoS) orquality of experience (QoE). In fact, aspects of this disclosure mayenhance QoS and QoE via an improvement or enhancement in a routing oftraffic by reducing a number of devices or hops between a source deviceand a target/intended destination device. This reduction in number ofhops further reduces the likelihood/probability that information may becompromised.

Aspects of this disclosure may include an imposition or application ofaddress translation in respect of one or more connections associatedwith one or more communication devices. To the extent that a givencommunication device supports one or more technologies, such as one ormore radio access technologies (RATs), respective translations may beimposed on each of the RATs or associated connections. Thus, a devicethat is operative in conjunction with 5G and LTE technologies may have afirst translation imposed in respect of a 5G connection and a secondtranslation imposed in respect of an LTE connection; the secondtranslation may be the same as, or different from, the firsttranslation.

As described herein, a primary network may be used to convey (or operateupon) first traffic/data and a secondary network may be used to convey(or operate upon) second traffic/data. From the perspective of anend-user or client device, the presence of the secondary network may beobscured or shielded from view, which is to say that it may appear tothe end-user or client device that the second traffic/data is beingconveyed via the primary network. In this manner, the end-user/clientdevice might not be burdened with the details pertaining to the routingor conveyance of traffic/data. Further, by placing/locating at leastsome of the functionality described herein outside of the purview/domainof a client device, client device resources (such as, for example:battery life/capacity, memory resources, etc.) may be preserved.Additionally, aspects of this disclosure may reduce the amount of timeor overhead associated with a development and maintenance of anapplication (e.g., game), thereby alleviating a developer/maintainer ofthe application of the costs associated with such activities.

As described above, aspects of this disclosure may include a placementor distribution of functionality at one or more locations and/or at oneor more communication devices. In some embodiments, a network may beestablished to facilitate an application, a competition, a game, or thelike. The network may be dynamically extended to one or more locations,such as for example via a gateway, a phone, a hotspot, etc. In someembodiments, a virtualized or containerized network function hosted on,e.g., a gateway or dynamically inserted into a mobility data planeidentifies a user's/subscriber's gaming traffic and separates thattraffic from typical Internet-bound traffic, routing the identifiedpackets through the established network.

In some embodiments, one or more networks may be established or utilizedto facilitate a conveyance or routing of traffic/data. In someembodiments, multiple secondary networks may be generated/utilized. Thenetworks that are used in some embodiments may include physical orvirtual networks. In some embodiments, competitions may be routedthrough a particular network. In some embodiments, participant devicesin a particular competition may be intentionally/selectively routedthrough different ones of a plurality of secondary networks for addedsecurity, for distributing load, etc.

In some embodiments, network related information (including, forexample, address information used to facilitate a translation ormapping) may be stored at one or more devices. At least some of theinformation may be deleted upon use, at the conclusion of a session(e.g., at the conclusion of an event or competiton), etc., to promotesecurity/privacy. In some instances, the information may be communicatedfrom a first network element or device to other network elements ordevices, such as for example when multiple secondary networks areutilized, in order to maintain persitency/continuity of a session fromone network to the next. Even in such instances, the information may beshared/distributed (only) to the extent necessary, in order topromote/maintain security.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system 100, thesubsystems and functions of system 200 a, and method 200 b presented inFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. For example, virtualized communication network 300can facilitate in whole or in part monitoring first traffic from a firstdevice, wherein the first device has a first address associatedtherewith, classifying, based on the monitoring of the first traffic,the first traffic as first gaming traffic, based on the classifying ofthe first traffic as first gaming traffic, mapping the first address toa second address that is different from the first address, and routingthe first traffic to a second device using the second address.Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partobtaining first traffic from a first communication device, analyzing thefirst traffic to classify the first traffic as being associated with anexecution of a first application, based on the classification of thefirst traffic as being associated with the execution of the firstapplication, translating an address associated with the first trafficfrom a first address to a second address, and conveying the firsttraffic to a second communication device using the second address.Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partanalyzing data to identify the data as being associated with an onlinegame, translating, based on the analyzing, a first address associatedwith the data to a second address that is different from the firstaddress, and transmitting the data to a communication device using thesecond address.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers — each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part monitoring first traffic from a firstdevice, wherein the first device has a first address associatedtherewith, classifying, based on the monitoring of the first traffic,the first traffic as first gaming traffic, based on the classifying ofthe first traffic as first gaming traffic, mapping the first address toa second address that is different from the first address, and routingthe first traffic to a second device using the second address. Computingenvironment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part obtaining firsttraffic from a first communication device, analyzing the first trafficto classify the first traffic as being associated with an execution of afirst application, based on the classification of the first traffic asbeing associated with the execution of the first application,translating an address associated with the first traffic from a firstaddress to a second address, and conveying the first traffic to a secondcommunication device using the second address. Computing environment 400can facilitate in whole or in part analyzing data to identify the dataas being associated with an online game, translating, based on theanalyzing, a first address associated with the data to a second addressthat is different from the first address, and transmitting the data to acommunication device using the second address.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part monitoring first traffic from a first device,wherein the first device has a first address associated therewith,classifying, based on the monitoring of the first traffic, the firsttraffic as first gaming traffic, based on the classifying of the firsttraffic as first gaming traffic, mapping the first address to a secondaddress that is different from the first address, and routing the firsttraffic to a second device using the second address. Platform 510 canfacilitate in whole or in part obtaining first traffic from a firstcommunication device, analyzing the first traffic to classify the firsttraffic as being associated with an execution of a first application,based on the classification of the first traffic as being associatedwith the execution of the first application, translating an addressassociated with the first traffic from a first address to a secondaddress, and conveying the first traffic to a second communicationdevice using the second address. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole orin part analyzing data to identify the data as being associated with anonline game, translating, based on the analyzing, a first addressassociated with the data to a second address that is different from thefirst address, and transmitting the data to a communication device usingthe second address.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format ...) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support ...) provided by mobilenetwork platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that are part of avoice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gateway node(s) 518for authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, andto serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. In addition toapplication server, server(s) 514 can comprise utility server(s), autility server can comprise a provisioning server, an operations andmaintenance server, a security server that can implement at least inpart a certificate authority and firewalls as well as other securitymechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s) securecommunication served through mobile network platform 510 to ensurenetwork's operation and data integrity in addition to authorization andauthentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512 and PS gatewaynode(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s) can provisionservices from external network(s) like networks operated by a disparateservice provider; for instance, WAN 550 or Global Positioning System(GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s) can also provisioncoverage through networks associated to mobile network platform 510(e.g., deployed and operated by the same service provider), such as thedistributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s) that enhance wirelessservice coverage by providing more network coverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part monitoring firsttraffic from a first device, wherein the first device has a firstaddress associated therewith, classifying, based on the monitoring ofthe first traffic, the first traffic as first gaming traffic, based onthe classifying of the first traffic as first gaming traffic, mappingthe first address to a second address that is different from the firstaddress, and routing the first traffic to a second device using thesecond address. Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in partobtaining first traffic from a first communication device, analyzing thefirst traffic to classify the first traffic as being associated with anexecution of a first application, based on the classification of thefirst traffic as being associated with the execution of the firstapplication, translating an address associated with the first trafficfrom a first address to a second address, and conveying the firsttraffic to a second communication device using the second address.Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part analyzing datato identify the data as being associated with an online game,translating, based on the analyzing, a first address associated with thedata to a second address that is different from the first address, andtransmitting the data to a communication device using the secondaddress.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: monitoring first traffic from afirst device, wherein the first device has a first address associatedtherewith; classifying, based on the monitoring of the first traffic,the first traffic as first gaming traffic; based on the classifying ofthe first traffic as first gaming traffic, mapping the first address toa second address that is different from the first address; and routingthe first traffic to a second device using the second address.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: monitoringsecond traffic from the first device; classifying, based on themonitoring of the second traffic, the second traffic as non-gamingtraffic; and based on the classifying of the second traffic asnon-gaming traffic, routing the second traffic to a third device usingthe first address.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the third device isdifferent from the second device.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst address is an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the first device is one of a gateway or a clientdevice.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second device is a server.7. The device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:monitoring second traffic from the second device; identifying, based onthe monitoring of the second traffic, the second traffic as having thesecond address associated therewith; based on the identifying, mappingthe second address to the first address; and routing, based on themapping of the second address to the first address, the second trafficto the first device.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: monitoring second traffic from a third device, whereinthe third device has a third address associated therewith, and whereinthe third address is different from the first address; classifying,based on the monitoring of the second traffic, the second traffic assecond gaming traffic; based on the classifying of the second traffic assecond gaming traffic, mapping the third address to a fourth addressthat is different from the third address; and routing the second trafficto the second device using the fourth address.
 9. The device of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise: monitoring third traffic fromthe second device; identifying, based on the monitoring of the thirdtraffic, the third traffic as having the fourth address associatedtherewith; based on the identifying of the third traffic as having thefourth address associated therewith, mapping the fourth address to thethird address; and routing, based on the mapping of the fourth addressto the third address, the third traffic to the third device.
 10. Thedevice of claim 8, wherein the first device and the third device areincluded as part of a team in a gaming competition.
 11. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the first device is included as part of a first team ina gaming competition, and wherein the third device is included as partof a second team in the gaming competition, the second team differentfrom the first team.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the monitoringincludes analyzing a header of the first traffic, metadata of the firsttraffic, or a combination thereof, and wherein the classifying of thefirst traffic as first gaming traffic is based on the analyzing.
 13. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes analyzing the firsttraffic without examining a payload of the first traffic, and whereinthe classifying of the first traffic as first gaming traffic is based onthe analyzing.
 14. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations, theoperations comprising: obtaining first traffic from a firstcommunication device; analyzing the first traffic to classify the firsttraffic as being associated with an execution of a first application;based on the classification of the first traffic as being associatedwith the execution of the first application, translating an addressassociated with the first traffic from a first address to a secondaddress; and conveying the first traffic to a second communicationdevice using the second address.
 15. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the first traffic is downlink traffic. 16.The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 14, wherein thefirst traffic is uplink traffic.
 17. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise: obtainingsecond traffic from the first communication device; analyzing the secondtraffic to classify the second traffic as being associated with anexecution of a second application, wherein the second application isdifferent from the first application; and based on the classification ofthe second traffic as being associated with the execution of the secondapplication, conveying the second traffic to a third communicationdevice using the first address.
 18. The non-transitory machine-readablemedium of claim 14, wherein the operations further comprise: obtainingsecond traffic from the first communication device; analyzing the secondtraffic to classify the second traffic as being associated with theexecution of the first application; based on the classification of thesecond traffic as being associated with the execution of the firstapplication, translating an address associated with the second trafficfrom the first address to a third address, wherein the third address isdifferent from the second address; and conveying the second traffic tothe second communication device using the third address.
 19. A method,comprising: analyzing, by a processing system including a processor,data to identify that the data is associated with an online game;translating, by the processing system and based on the analyzing, afirst address associated with the data to a second address that isdifferent from the first address; and transmitting, by the processingsystem, the data to a communication device using the second address. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising: authenticating, by theprocessing system, the communication device using the first address,wherein the analyzing of the data is based on the authenticating.